M&T leads small business lending program

M&T Bank led in small business lending in the Buffalo-Rochester region in a key federally backed program in December.

M&T had 19 of the 7(a) loans, according to the Small Business Administration. Five Star Bank had seven, followed by ESL Federal Credit Union with six. M&T accounted for 29 percent of the 7(a) loans for the month.

M&T also led in dollar volume under the program for December, with $3.35 million. That accounted for 19 percent of the $17.3 million total for the month.